Local AA groups

In 1985 the local community association in the multi-racial St Paul’s area of Bristol launched a campaign to persuade local shops and businesses to end all links with South Africa. After a slow start, the great majority of local shops and all seven pubs in the area stopped selling apartheid products. The community association also asked local businesses to boycott Barclays Bank. Its annual report described the progress of the campaign. 

In 1985 the local community association in the multi-racial St Paul’s area of Bristol launched a campaign to persuade local shops and businesses to end all links with South Africa. After a slow start, the great majority of local shops and all seven pubs in the area agreed to boycott apartheid products. This newsletter reproduced a Declaration signed by local businesses. The campaign gained such momentum that the local Tesco’s branch agreed not to stock South African goods.

Exeter AA Group collected thousands of signatures to this petition in 1985, calling on Exeter City Council to to declare itself an apartheid free zone. Sheffield City Council was the first local authority in Britain end all links with South Africa, in 1981.

Leaflet advertising a demonstration in Derby, organised by Derby AA Group, as part of the AAM's March Month of Action in 1985, marking the 25th anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre. The leaflet called for a boycott of South African goods and listed ten reasons for boycotting Barclays Bank. The demonstration assembled at the local Indian community centre. An anti-apartheid group was first formed in Derby in 1970.

Local AA groups all over Britain organised meetings, demonstrations and fundraising events as part of the AAM’s national month of action in March 1985. This leaflet asked community organisations in the London boroughs of Hackney and Tower Hamlets to sign a declaration pledging that they would boycott South African goods. It advertised a series of pickets outside local supermarkets promoting the boycott.

Local AA groups all over Britain organised meetings, demonstrations and fundraising events as part of the AAM’s national month of action in March 1985. This leaflet publicised events organised by Edinburgh AA Group.

Anti-apartheid supporters unveiled the AA logo on the Mound in Edinburgh as part of a local authority week of action against apartheid, 18–22 March 1985. The week was organised by the Scottish Committee for Local Authority Action set up at a conference in Glasgow on 21 March. In the picture are Edinburgh District Councillor Chris McKinnon and members of Edinburgh AA Group.

Membership leaflet produced by Manchester AA Group.